Quote:
|
Originally Posted by truerookie
My point is that the hair restraint rule (3.5.3d.) is very precise: "Rubber, cloth or elastic bands may be used to control hair.
agree, What about tape on the hair? Would that fall under 3.5.3e
|
I guess tape could fall under 3.5.3e as a head decoration depending on how it was used, but I would refer to the Nov 2006 clarification from the link Nevadaref provided earlier in this thread:
Basketball Administrator,
Please find attached a clarification regarding the wearing of hair-control devices. Feel free to pass this information along to constituents within your state. This item will also be posted on the NFHS Website.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Mary
Mary Struckhoff
NFHS Assistant Director
Basketball Rules Editor/National Interpreter
Hair-Control Devices and Headbands Clarified (11/16/06)
There have been numerous questions recently relating to the legality of certain hair-control devices. Players may wear rubber bands, scrunchies, pre wrap and narrow, multi-colored elastic bands to hold their hair back (3-5-3d). These items are not considered headbands (3-5-3a) and therefore do not fall under the new headband rule. These items do not have to be the same color as the uniform or white, they can be of any color, they do not have to be a single color and they are not subject to the logo restrictions in 3-6.
Further, a ribbon worn in addition to a hair-control device is considered to be a head decoration, and is prohibited (3-5-3e). If a ribbon is being worn as a hair-control device, it would be permitted provided it is not judged to be dangerous or inappropriate by the referee (3-5-1).
Ms Struckhoff specifically identified pre-wrap (but not tape), scrunchies and narrow, multi-colored elastic bands as acceptable hair restraint alternatives. This clarification was made a year ago, and although the Rules Committee made Uniforms the #1 POE for 2007-08, hair restraint devices were not among the uniform issues specified nor were these additional devices added to 3.5.3d in the 2007-08 Rules Book. This tells me that the all-wise committee decided that the hair restraint rule as written is clear enough.
Therefore, the deciding factor on whether or not a hair-restraint device can/cannot be worn must rest on the referee's judgement: Rule 3.5.1 - "The referee shall not permit any team member to wear equipment or apparel which, in his/her judgement, is dangerous or confusing to other players or is not appropriate." Is tape as a hair-restraint dangerous, confusing, or not appropriate? I guess only the R at any given game can determine that.
And ironically, using 3.5.1, I guess the R could rule bikini tops as inappropriate if he/she wanted to...and was ready to take the heat. Still, I ain't playing "Fashion Cop" and telling HS or college girls to change their underwear
